comfort

[ kuhm-fert ]

verb (used with object)

1. to soothe, console, or reassure; bring cheer to:

   They tried to comfort her after her loss.

   Synonyms: ease, gladden, solace, calm, pacify

2. to make physically comfortable.

   Synonyms: ease

3. Obsolete. to aid; support or encourage.

noun

1. relief in affliction; consolation; solace:

   Her presence was a comfort to him.

2. a feeling of relief or consolation:

   Her forgiveness afforded him great comfort.

3. a person or thing that gives consolation:

   She was a great comfort to him.

4. a cause or matter of relief or satisfaction:

   The patient's recovery was a comfort to the doctor.

5. a state of ease and satisfaction of bodily wants, with freedom from pain and anxiety:

   He is a man who enjoys his comfort.

6. something that promotes such a state:

   His wealth allows him to enjoy a high degree of comfort.

7. Chiefly Midland and Southern U.S. a comforter or quilt.
8. Obsolete. strengthening aid; assistance.

comfort

/ ˈkʌmfət /

noun

1. a state of ease or well-being
2. relief from affliction, grief, etc
3. a person, thing, or event that brings solace or ease
4. obsolete.
   support
5. usually plural something that affords physical ease and relaxation

verb

1. to ease the pain of; soothe; cheer
2. to bring physical ease to

Derived Forms

• ˈcomfortingly, adverb
• ˈcomforting, adjective
• ˈcomfortlessness, noun
• ˈcomfortlessly, adverb
• ˈcomfortless, adjective

Other Words From

• comfort·less adjective
• un·comfort·ed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of comfort¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English verb comfortien, from Anglo-French, Old French conforter, from Late Latin confortāre “to strengthen,” equivalent to con- con- ( def ) + -fortāre, verb suffix formed from Latin fortis “strong”; noun derived from the verb

Word History and Origins

Origin of comfort¹

C13: from Old French confort, from Late Latin confortāre to strengthen very much, from Latin con- (intensive) + fortis strong

Idioms and Phrases

see cold comfort ; creature comforts ; too close for comfort .

Synonym Study

Comfort, console, relieve, soothe imply assuaging sorrow, worry, discomfort, or pain. To comfort is to lessen the sadness or sorrow of someone and to strengthen by inspiring with hope and restoring a cheerful outlook: to comfort a despairing person. Console, a more formal word, means to make grief or distress seem lighter, by means of kindness and thoughtful attentions: to console a bereaved parent. Relieve means to lighten, lessen, or remove pain, trouble, discomfort, or hardship: to relieve a needy person. Soothe means to pacify or calm: to soothe a child. See ease.

Example Sentences

Instead, he asked meaningful questions that brought me comfort.

From Washington Blade

You can also opt to purchase the item with shoulder pads for extra comfort.

From Popular-Science

That’s a raw deal for China, as well as India, Vietnam, and other countries trying to raise their citizens to the level of affluence and comfort afforded those in the West.

From Vox

The comfort and flexibility of learning online have always been of attraction to long-life learners.

From Search Engine Watch

For that reason, working out alone, be it outside or in the comfort of your own home, is pretty much risk-free, Thomas says.

From Popular-Science

Talking about death is never easy, but with food, comfort, and familiarity, a new kind of dinner party is making it easier.

From The Daily Beast

He uses some combination of the words comfort or discomfort in regards to how he feels about situations over 30 times.

From The Daily Beast

The doctor tells me I can walk on it right away, “as comfort allows.”

From The Daily Beast

Liberals either boast or comfort themselves that their own beliefs push humanity forward.

From The Daily Beast

It simultaneously reveals the absurdity of dictatorship and gives comfort to those languishing under an impossible reality.

From The Daily Beast

And for fear of being ill spoken of weep bitterly for a day, and then comfort thyself in thy sadness.

From Project Gutenberg

“I hope he will grow up to be a true comfort to you, M. Pujol,” said Miss Janet.

From Project Gutenberg

However, I have felt some comfort in knowing that it is not Liszt's genius alone that makes him such a player.

From Project Gutenberg

Then I hesitated no longer, but turned away and left her alone with her grief; it was not for me to comfort her.

From Project Gutenberg

For his mind flung itself with violence upon two sentences: he was 'beautiful and precious'; she longed for him to 'comfort' her.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• amenity
• contentment
• convenience
• enjoyment
• happiness
• luxury
• pleasure
• relaxation
• relief
• satisfaction
• warmth
• well-being